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Merrill's on the Waterfront

4.4 ★★★★☆ 707 Google reviews · Waterfront wedding venue in New Bedford, Massachusetts · 0.8 mi to the beach

Casual eatery featuring seafood favorites, plus a bar with water views.

Plan your tour

  • Setting waterfront venue, 0.8 mi to the beach — verified by its distance to a real shoreline
  • Phone (508) 997-7010
  • Website merrillswaterfront.com — most venues book tours right on their site

At a glance

36 Homer's Wharf, New Bedford, MA 02740

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On the property

What couples name in their reviews of Merrill's on the Waterfront and what the venue states on its own site — the fastest way to tell what's actually here before you drive out.

🍸 Full Bar Service 3 mentions

More venues with full bar service →

What couples highlight

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 707 Google reviews — in their own words, and only about the wedding and the setting.

🏝️ breathtaking beach setting 11 mentions

“From the moment we toured the venue, we knew it was the perfect place — beautiful views, elegant décor, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere that made our entire day feel magical.”

🤝 staff who go above & beyond 8 mentions

“The staff at Merrill’s was attentive, the food was amazing, and every part of the venue looked stunning.”

🍽️ delicious food & drinks 8 mentions

“The food was excellent (cannot stop thinking about the bacon wrapped scallops), the venue was beautiful, and the events team was amazing.”

📋 flawless coordination 3 mentions

“A huge part of our incredible experience was thanks to Victoria Pedro, our coordinator.”

From the reviews

We had our wedding rehearsal dinner at Merrill's and it was so beautiful. Tyler and his staff were extremely friendly and easy to work with. The food was amazing!! The space was so beautiful, and it had a perfect view of the ocean.

★★★★★ — Elba, Nov 2023

I attended a Wedding at this location. As a guest I was very happy with the staffing, food and the waterfront view.

★★★★★ — Bob, Dec 2025

My dream wedding came to life! I cannot begin to say enough about Merrill’s on the Waterfront! I chose this location for both my ceremony and reception, and it was the best decision I could have made.

★★★★★ — Elizabeth, Feb 2026

We are greatly pleased with the professional service we received from the staff and the delicious food. Our guests were extremely satisfied with the venue.

★★★★★ — Claire, May 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews, filtered to comments about the wedding and the setting. Read all 707 reviews →

Getting married at Merrill's on the Waterfront

Two things make the tour worth the drive. First, see the ceremony spot at the exact time of day you'd say your vows — a west-facing beach glows at sunset but bakes at noon, and you'll want to feel the wind, watch where the sun sits, and walk the path your guests take across the sand. Second, bring your real questions: the weather backup (where does the ceremony move if it rains or the wind kicks up?), who pulls the beach permit, the sound-ordinance curfew, the catering and bar policy, and exactly what's included — chairs, setup, and teardown on sand are where quotes quietly diverge. Peak beach dates book 12–18 months out, so if the tour feels right, ask what's open in your season before you leave.

Check wedding info on their site

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and couples' reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this venue? Claim your listing — it's free.